1/48 `Sundowners`F-14A Tomcat (take 2)

So to finish off my year and full of confidence after the Airfix Lightning build, it is time to revisit VF-111.

Looks pretty much like the old Monogram/Revell kit mould with a few added extras and details. This is my 3rd 1/48 `cat` now so I should be able to do this blindfolded. Just hope the front end fits better.

Sprue shots below of what you get out the box.





















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I've recently picked up a 1:48 Cat so will be watching with interest.

Ab

Been a bit slow with this due to man flu. Can`t seem to shake it off at the moment.

However I have managed 10 minutes here and there. Did a fair bit of sprue painting on the u/c legs and doors. Added a dark wash and then let it dry to give them that `grime` look. I just hope Barry Scott isn`t looking...

Also got a majority of the pit done and just need a few touch ups to complete.







More soon.

This is a great start TC.

Ab

Cheers Ab.

So onto fitting the main fuselage together. As you can see one of the modifications to the Academy kit is the inclusion of the canards just forward of the wings.

Build has stalled for a bit as I await a canopy mask. The defining lines on the canopy are pretty non existant except for the ones to the rear so I`m hoping to get it right by working backward with the mask, if that makes sense?

Anyway, as the pic below shows it`s starting to look like a Tomcat now. Had a couple if areas to fill, completed the u/c`s and have started work on the missiles. Hopefully more soon.

Latest piccie update on the Tomcat.



Pretty miffed at the masking job on the cockpit with this one. My fault as it seems the edges on the mask were not as tight as they should of been. Tried to tidy it up the best I could but I`m not happy with it at all.

Weapons and u/c legs are ok, but like all old school reports, this one stinks of `Could do better`.

Got the wash on last night and I`m happy to report this seems to have brought the Tomcat to life now. The lines seems to add to the overall look of the aircraft and divert my attention away from that ****** canopy.

Tonights update.

It seems someone at Academy had been out the night before when it came to drawing out the `destructions`. Here`s how they tell you to fit the AIM-7 Sparrow.....



Of course the problem is where does the front fin fit into the pylon?



The answer of course is that it does not.

So I have removed one of the front fins on the Sparrow and all is again right with the world.

Tonights final picture is of the model so far. All decals are in place now as it`s alot easier to navigate your way around without u/c doors and missiles getting in the way.